Thursday, October 06, 2011

I've Been a Little Busy Lately

I remember a time when I didn't write most of my posts while sitting in airports. But here's another one. I'm in Chicago, waiting for a flight to Boston. From Boston, I go to Reykjavik, Iceland.

I've never been to Iceland; but I hear tell that they sell yarn at the grocery store, so I'm expecting it to be an Earthly Paradise. Albeit a slightly chilly Paradise, which would explain the omnipresence of yarn.

I was packing for the trip when I realized, last night, that I don't have a winter hat for myself. Not one. I've knit tons of them, but they've all gone off into the world on other heads.

It's in such a situation that Knitters and Those Who Do Not Knit part company. Those who knit not would go out and buy a hat. Knitters, or at least this knitter, reach a point where buying a winter hat feels like cheating (at worst) or giving up (at best).

There is simply no way I can show up in Iceland with a four-dollar hat from Target.

So I'm knitting one en route.

I have until I get there to figure out and finish the brim treatment. Ribbing is out. Too pedestrian. This should be a Project Runway challenge: finish your garment by the time the plane lands, or get frostbite.

They really need to have yarn and needles on board planes for sale, just in case you run out or (shudder) forget to bring any on board with you in the first place. Of course, if you're really desperate, you can always activate the Knitting Energency Response Unit. (http://whirlingneedles.wordpress.com/2011/05/02/the-knitting-emergency-response-unit/)

Good luck with your hat, and I hear you! Last year I was embarrassed at my proper-hatlessness. Since I finally made a proper every day hat (light weight tam, not for really cold days nor long times outdoors), I can take my time with another, a Zimmermann type heavy brioche st cap. Pretty colors, VERY warm. I should finish it before it snows!

You will definitely need that hat! When I went to Iceland I forgot to take one and boy did I know about it. I ended up buying one and it was hugely expensive but worth it not to die horribly of the cold!

I have a woolly wormhead hat that is knitted in stocking stitch and the brim is just made by allowing the stocking stitch to curl naturally - I think it would be a good look for you Franklin! I also think my hat was knitted sideways, but I imagine it would work OK knitted top down - maybe you'd want a few rows of rib, and then increase a few stitches and knit an inch or so... just a thought...

Perpendicular garter edge? I'm not sure that's the real name--when hat is long enough, cast on x stitches and go back and forth in garter, k2togging it on at the live edge stitches, and when you're done, just BO x stitches, sew a little seam (or not, if you like the notch), and hey presto!

My outlaws went to Iceland, the Mother-not-in-law deemed the wool too expensive to buy me as a gift and instead bought me a polar bear t-shirt and a glass which where both expensive (she left the price on). I would have preferred a smidge of wool.

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